The Portland daily press., 1887-02-04
XLIXth CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
WAsHINGTON. Feb. I

WASHINGTON, Feb. g.
Mr.. Eyarts introduced bill for the pur-
chase of John Ericcson's Destroyer, and ten
enlarged steel vessels of the same type, for
defending the harbors of the United States.
Referred to the committee on naval affairs.
The resolution offered last session by Mr..
ingalls, to discharge the committee on pen
siOns from further consideration Of the bill
removing limitation on applications for er-
r0rs of pensions. Agreed to. Yeas, n !;
nays, 26. Mr.. ingalls, will call up the bill for
action next week.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the
action of the bill to prohibit members Of
Congress from acting as attorneys Of en-
ployes for subsidized railroad companies.
Mr. Eyarts addressed the Senate in Oppo-
siton to this bill and in favor Of the amend
ment proposed to be offered as a substitute
to the bill by the Senator from Delaware
(Mr Salisbury That the substitute made
it unlawful for any member OF Congress to
accept employment as a general counselor at
torney or to receive payment for services as
such counsel or attorney from subsidized
railroad companies, with q proyis0 that it
shall not be construed to prevent members
of Congress from appearing as such counsel
in State or Federal courts in suits in which
the United States Is not party
He argued that the proposed legislation
was entirely uncalled for. 1t was also un-
precedented. The only reason we had heard
given for IL was that given by the Senator
from Arkansas (Mr. Berry that there was in
the public mind IN regard to this matter "a
restless dissatisfaction and a vague fear. "
No law had ever yet been based on any such
ground. There must be substantial dissat-
isfaction Besides being entirely uncalled
for and entirely unprecedented and tine bill
was entirely illusory. No sensible man IN
or out of Congress, feared there was ten
dency to corruption in the relations Of attor-
ney aud client as between members OF Con-
gress and these railroad corporations. These
lawyers in the Senate who would vote for
this bill would make the imputation against
their profession that lawyers were class TO
be taken not from the rest Of the community,
separated from other members, and pre-
cluded from honorable and innocent con-
duct, for fear they might be drawn over the
line Of duty. The right of citizens was not
to be invaded because honest employment
might lead TO criminality. 1t had been ar
| gued that being paid salaries members should
| be satisfied. This bill only applied to en-
| pl0yment by railroad companies but did rail-
| road retainers, he asked, draw Senators
| away from the chamber any more than 9TH
| er retainers. In order TO be consistent they
| should pass law forbidding members OF
| Congress from taking any fee. But nobody
had thought of proposing anything of that
| kind, and this bill was not Of that nature
| As TO the talk about serving two masters, he
asked whether senators were doing that
when as lawyers they served the dignity ano
/ advantage of the law and protection of the
/ community, and when as Senators they die
| LnelT uuLy uuueT LuelT ODllBdtlOnS.
| MIR. EYarts concluded his speech at Al,
/ O'Clock, and then on motion of Mr.. HOar, thu
/ Senate went into secret session. AT 44,
| o'clock the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The legislative, executive and judicial ap
| preparation bill was reported and referred I,
the committee of the whole.
Mr.. Tucker Of Virginia, from the commit
tee on Judiciary, reported back the Senatl
bill extending the time for filing Frencl
spoliation claims. Referred to the Hous
| calendar
Mr.. Rogers Of Arkansas. from the sam,
committee, reported adversely the bill Il
enable the people to name their poStmasters
Laid on the table.
Mr. Oates Of Alabama, on behalf Of tn
committee on revision of laws, called up th
bill authorizing the appointment and pre-
seribing the eompensationiof clerks to Sen
ators and Representatives, who are no
chairmen Of committees.
After some debate, Mr. Eden of Illinoi
moved to lay the bill on the table. Agree
to-yeas, 141, nays, 105.